Comments on: NBCU to pull out of iTunes http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/ Where TV Finds the Future Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:55:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rick http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-475065 Rick Sat, 01 Sep 2007 03:39:28 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-475065 Apple (and most of the content partners) are notoriously secretive about individial sales. But my understanding is that the top end for individual episodes has been around 900,000 or so, but most episodes have been in the range of 100,000 or below. It's not a bad revenue stream, particularly given the fact that on shows produced by NBC/Universall, they're probably walking away with $1.60 or so per sale. Apple (and most of the content partners) are notoriously secretive about individial sales.

But my understanding is that the top end for individual episodes has been around 900,000 or so, but most episodes have been in the range of 100,000 or below.

It’s not a bad revenue stream, particularly given the fact that on shows produced by NBC/Universall, they’re probably walking away with $1.60 or so per sale.

]]> By: Jason http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474881 Jason Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:41:27 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474881 The Office will make its money in DVD sales and syndication. iTunes is gravy. The Office will make its money in DVD sales and syndication. iTunes is gravy.

]]> By: Dave http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474829 Dave Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:17:29 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474829 Anyone ever figure out how much an episode of say 'The Office' costs (including, talent, production, and network costs) versus how much that episode makes on iTunes? Is it possible to be in the black? Anyone ever figure out how much an episode of say ‘The Office’ costs (including, talent, production, and network costs) versus how much that episode makes on iTunes?

Is it possible to be in the black?

]]> By: Jason http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474728 Jason Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:34:52 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474728 I agree with you Steve, but I don't think the vendors are looking to cut prices to move product. At least that's not their primary motivation. They want to raise prices. I do agree that Apple could let people raise prices, and then we as consumers could decide whether or not we want to buy the product. Instead of saying: Everything costs x and if you don't like it, go elsewhere. Wal-Mart demands suppliers to come in with low cost items. Apple seems to be doing much the same thing here. I appear to be taking both sides of this issue, and so I'll stop talking now. I agree with you Steve, but I don’t think the vendors are looking to cut prices to move product. At least that’s not their primary motivation. They want to raise prices.

I do agree that Apple could let people raise prices, and then we as consumers could decide whether or not we want to buy the product. Instead of saying: Everything costs x and if you don’t like it, go elsewhere.

Wal-Mart demands suppliers to come in with low cost items. Apple seems to be doing much the same thing here.

I appear to be taking both sides of this issue, and so I’ll stop talking now.

]]> By: Greg http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474682 Greg Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:54:38 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474682 Apple is claiming that NBCU wanted $4.99 per episode of NBC shows . . . . NBC just shot themselves in the foot. Apple is claiming that NBCU wanted $4.99 per episode of NBC shows . . . . NBC just shot themselves in the foot.

]]> By: Anon http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474658 Anon Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:24:46 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474658 Does anyone know more about the privacy concerns? Otherwise I agree about not being able to price your product as you see fit. I think this is a bad sign for iTunes, as I wouldn't be surprised to see some other media companies pull their material as well. Does anyone know more about the privacy concerns? Otherwise I agree about not being able to price your product as you see fit. I think this is a bad sign for iTunes, as I wouldn’t be surprised to see some other media companies pull their material as well.

]]> By: scott W http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474654 scott W Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:20:43 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474654 I think the pricing is the issue. iTunes can't win if partners start to bail. Many music companies have very short deals as well. I think the pricing is the issue.

iTunes can’t win if partners start to bail. Many music companies have very short deals as well.

]]> By: Joe http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474484 Joe Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:13:04 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474484 As much as I love the ease of downloading episodes of Adam-12, I have to say I don't really care if NBC leaves iTunes. I've got more choices now than NBC will ever have. I no longer having to be held hostage to NBC's scheduling whims or pricing schemes. As for Apple setting the agenda on pricing and what-not, I think NBC could do with a taste of its own medicine after all these years. As usual with media companies, this is ultimately all about issues of control. There's no consideration for the viewer or their needs. As much as I love the ease of downloading episodes of Adam-12, I have to say I don’t really care if NBC leaves iTunes. I’ve got more choices now than NBC will ever have. I no longer having to be held hostage to NBC’s scheduling whims or pricing schemes. As for Apple setting the agenda on pricing and what-not, I think NBC could do with a taste of its own medicine after all these years. As usual with media companies, this is ultimately all about issues of control. There’s no consideration for the viewer or their needs.

]]> By: tdc http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474343 tdc Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:44:29 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474343 hulu loco. hulu loco.

]]> By: Safran http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474322 Safran Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:25:52 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474322 I'm going to take NBC's decision out of the equation for a moment here and express some sympathy overall for the vendors and customers. Imagine not being able to change the price of your product. You see that there is low demand for a given pricepoint, but the retailer insists you charge too much, so it continues not to sell. Imagine something is selling very well and you could make money if you charged more. The vendor tells you that you can't do that. On the customer front - when I go into a CD store, there are bargain bins full of older titles for $5.99, $6.99 or so. The label knows it can't get full price for those titles. But Apple won't let them cut their prices online? I realize all the benefits of the iTunes store - and we've been huge champions here for it and for networks joining it. But it is in everyone's best interest for Apple to allow more flexibility in its pricing. I’m going to take NBC’s decision out of the equation for a moment here and express some sympathy overall for the vendors and customers.

Imagine not being able to change the price of your product. You see that there is low demand for a given pricepoint, but the retailer insists you charge too much, so it continues not to sell.

Imagine something is selling very well and you could make money if you charged more. The vendor tells you that you can’t do that.

On the customer front - when I go into a CD store, there are bargain bins full of older titles for $5.99, $6.99 or so. The label knows it can’t get full price for those titles. But Apple won’t let them cut their prices online?

I realize all the benefits of the iTunes store - and we’ve been huge champions here for it and for networks joining it. But it is in everyone’s best interest for Apple to allow more flexibility in its pricing.

]]> By: Jason http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474310 Jason Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:04:08 +0000 http://www.lostremote.com/2007/08/31/nbcu-to-pull-out-of-itunes/#comment-474310 I can't imagine consumers are going to side with media companies on this one. Has anyone you know been clamoring for the opportunity to buy bundles of NBCU product? "I love iTunes, if only I could buy 'The Office' and 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' in one shot!" If an NBC show I want to watch is available free somewhere, I'll seek it out, but nothing beats the ease of using iTunes to buy/download. I can’t imagine consumers are going to side with media companies on this one. Has anyone you know been clamoring for the opportunity to buy bundles of NBCU product?

“I love iTunes, if only I could buy ‘The Office’ and ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ in one shot!”

If an NBC show I want to watch is available free somewhere, I’ll seek it out, but nothing beats the ease of using iTunes to buy/download.

]]>